Repeat Offender Mendoza Cortes Jailed for Illegal Re-Entry

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Jesus Mendoza Cortes, a 35-year-old Mexican national, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for his flagrant disregard for U.S. immigration law. Cortes received a 14-month sentence without parole, followed by a year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to unlawfully re-entering the country after deportation. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Stephen R. Bough.

Cortes’ criminal history is extensive. Records show he’s been deported from the United States a staggering eleven times since 2006. Despite repeated removals, he unlawfully returned to the U.S. sometime in 2018, eventually landing in Sedalia, Missouri. His latest run-in with the law came on June 1, 2024, when the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on serious charges: unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree assault, and armed criminal action. Those state charges remain pending.

Federal law is clear: knowingly re-entering the United States after being deported is a crime. Cortes brazenly ignored that law, continuing to cross the border illegally despite the repeated consequences. This case underscores the challenges facing law enforcement in dealing with individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws and, as in this instance, are also accused of violent crimes.

The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecily L. Hicks, built a solid case demonstrating Cortes’ history of illegal re-entry. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. The swift prosecution highlights the commitment of federal authorities to enforcing immigration laws and holding repeat offenders accountable.

This case is part of a larger, nationwide effort known as Operation Take Back America. This initiative, according to the Department of Justice, aims to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” It streamlines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

While Cortes awaits transport to a federal facility, the pending state charges in Pettis County remain a separate matter. The Grimy Times will continue to follow both cases, providing updates as they become available. This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that repeated violations of U.S. law will be met with federal prosecution and imprisonment.